Neumomediastino en Covid-19 / Pneumomediastinum in Covid-19

El objetivo del presente estudio de serie de casos se centra en la descripción de las posibles causas responsables de la aparición de neumomediastino en la infección por el virus SARS-CoV-2. Para ello se han descrito las características de los pacientes ingresados en el Hospital de Jerez de la Frontera que desarrollaron esta complicación, detallando los factores de riesgo, motivo de ingreso hospitalario, factores desencadenantes de neumomediastino, así como la clínica y tipo de oxigenoterapia recibida durante su ingreso. Tras su estudio, se concluye que la etiología más probable de aparición de neumomediastino en estos cuatro sujetos fue la neumonía bilateral por el virus SARS-CoV-2, pudiendo también contribuir de manera importante en su desarrollo, la utilización de ventilación mecánica no invasiva. (AU)

The objective of this case series study focuses on the description of the possible causes responsible for the appearance of pneumomediastinum in SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. To this end, the characteristics of the patients admitted to the Jerez de la Frontera Hospital who developed this complication have been described, detailing the risk factors, reason for hospital admission, factors that trigger pneumomediastinum, as well as the clinic and type of oxygen therapy received during treatment. Your income. After their study, it is concluded that the most likely etiology of the appearance of pneumomediastinum in these four subjects was bilateral pneumonia due to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and the use of noninvasive mechanical ventilation may also contribute significantly to its development. (AU)

Los otros síntomas de la Covid-19 / The other symptoms of Covid-19

El equipo de Psicología del Centro Sociosanitario Hermanas Hospitalarias de Palencia atendió en más de 120 llamadas telefónicas a 52 personas que reclamaban ayuda por diferentes situaciones personales durante el confinamiento por la primera oleada de la epidemia de COVID-19. Se realiza un estudio para conocer las características de la población afectada y los efectos psicológicos provocados por esta situación. (AU)

The Psychology Team of Hermanas Hospitalarias, Palencia, attended more than 120 telephone calls to 52 people who requested help for different personal situations during confinement due to the first wave of the COVID19 epidemic. A study is carried out to know the psychological effects caused by this situation. (AU)

Morphometric parameters of foodborne related-pathogens estimated by transmission electron microscopy and their relation to optical density and colony forming units.

The different morphological characteristics of five bacterial pathogen strains were analyzed through transmission electron microscopy for addressing the particular relationship between optical density and colony-forming units for each strain. Generated linear equations will allow a reliable calculation of bacterial concentrations through simple optical density measurements.

Recommendations by the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy, the Spanish Society of Oncology Nursing and the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology for the safe management of antineoplastic medication in cancer patients.

AIM: To define recommendations that permit safe management of antineoplastic medication, minimise medication errors and improve the safety of cancer patients undergoing treatment. METHODS: By reviewing the literature and consulting the websites of various health organisations and agencies, an expert committee from the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy and the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology defined a set of safe practices covering all stages of providing cancer therapy to patients. The Spanish Society of Oncology Nursing revised and endorsed the final list. RESULTS: In total, 68 recommendations arranged in five sections were defined. They include issues concerning the training of health professionals, the technological resources needed, treatment planning, informing the patient and his/her family, the processes of prescribing, preparing, dispensing and administering cancer therapy (orally, parenterally or intrathecally), assessing patient adherence and treatment toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: It is essential for healthcare establishments to implement specific measures designed to prevent medication errors, in order to ensure the safety of cancer patients treated with antineoplastic medication.

Arsenic and lead contamination in urban soils of Villa de la Paz (Mexico) affected by historical mine wastes and its effect on children's health studied by micronucleated exfoliated cells assay.

Environmental geochemical and health studies were carried out in urban areas of Villa de la Paz, S.L.P. (Mexico), where mining activities have been developed for more of 200 years, leading to the pollution of surface soil by arsenic and heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn). The analysis of urban soils to determine total and bioaccessibility concentrations of As and Pb, demonstrated a combined contribution of the natural and anthropogenic concentrations in the site, at levels higher than the environmental guideline values that provoke a human health risk. Contour soil mapping confirmed that historical mine waste deposits without environmental control measures, are the main source of pollution soil by As and Pb in the site. Exposure (Pb in blood and As in urine) and effect (micronucleated exfoliated cells assay) biological monitoring were then carried out in the childhood population of the site and in a control site. The exposure biological monitoring demonstrated that at least 20-30 % of children presented Pb and As exposure values higher than the national and international maximum intervention values. The effect biomonitoring by MEC assay confirmed that there is a genotoxic damage in local childhood population that could be associated with the arsenic exposure in the site.

On-line determination of fatty acid composition in intramuscular fat of Iberian pork loin by NIRs with a remote reflectance fibre optic probe.

A near infrared spectrometer equipped with a standard 210/210 bundle remote reflectance fibre-optic probe, with a 5×5 cm quartz window type, was used for the determination of fatty acids in the Longissimus dorsi muscle of Iberian breed swine. The fatty acids C14:0, C16:0, C16:1, C17:0, C17:1, C18:0, C18:1, C18:2, C18:3, Σpolyunsaturated, Σmonounsaturated and Σsaturated were determined in samples of intramuscular fat from Iberian breed swine by direct application of the fibre-optic probe onto the loin sample, with no treatment or manipulation of the sample. The regression method employed was modified partial least squares. The calibration results using the fibre-optic probe for 74 loin samples had multiple correlation coefficients (RSQ) for C14:0, C16:0, C16:1, C17:0, C17:1, C18:0, C18:1, C18:2, C18:3, Σpolyunsaturated, Σmonounsaturated and Σsaturated acid of 0.785, 0.798, 0.788, 0.825, 0.762, 0.765, 0.696, 0.859, 0.878, 0.807, 0.943, 0.858, respectively, and standard errors of prediction corrected for the same fatty acids (%) of 0.08, 0.63, 0.26, 0.02, 0.02, 0.51, 0,77, 0.64, 0.05, 1.06, 0.34, 0.70, respectively. The robustness of the method was checked by applying the fibre-optic probe to unknown samples of Iberian breed pork loin in a slaughterhouse, using 15 samples for the external validation.

Determination of fatty acids in the subcutaneous fat of Iberian breed swine by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) with a fibre-optic probe.

A near infrared spectrometer equipped with a standard 1210/210 bundle remote reflectance fibre-optic probe, with a 5×5 cm quartz window, was used for the determination of fatty acids in the subcutaneous fat of Iberian pigs. A comparative study was made of the determination of fatty acids (C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, C18:1, C18:2, C18:3, C20: 1, Σpolyunsaturated, Σmonounsaturated and Σsaturated) in samples of subcutaneous fat from Iberian pigs by direct application of the fibre-optic probe on samples of whole subcutaneous fat and with cam-lock cups, assessing extracts of total lipids with diethyl ether. The regression method employed was modified partial least squares (MPLS). Calibration of 157 samples, using the fibre optic probe, allowed determination of fatty acids in the following ranges: C14:0 (0.78-1.77), C16:0 (15.87-29.74), C18:0 (4.61-15.90), C18:1 (43.50-61.27), C18:2 (2.03-13.94), C18:3 (0.13-1.14), C20:1 (0.45-2.32), Σpolyunsaturated (2.31-14.82), Σmonounsaturated (47.37-65.62), Σsaturated (22.09-47.31), with corrected standard errors of prediction SEP(C) of 0.093, 0.56, 0.67, 0.94, 0.42, 0.10, 0.20, 0.46, 0.94, 0.83, respectively. The robustness of the method using the fibre-optic probe was tested in a slaughterhouse using 23 samples for external validation, giving multiple correlation coefficients (RSQ) for C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, C18:1, C18:2, C18:3 C20:1, Σpolyunsaturated, Σmonounsaturated, Σsaturated acids of 0.72, 0.94, 0.72, 0.79, 0.88, 0.55, 0.17, 0.88, 0.74, and 0.90, respectively, and a corrected standard error of prediction [SEP(C)] for these acids (%) of 0.11, 0.60, 0.84, 1.20, 0.77, 0.11, 0.30, 0.76, 1.21, and 1.18, respectively.

Differentiation of dietary regimene of Iberian swine by means of isotopic analysis of carbon and sulphur in hepatic tissue.

The aim of this work was to differentiate the feed received by Iberian swine during fattening (acorns, feed) and their breed (Iberian or White) using analysis of the stable isotopes of carbon (δ(13)C) and sulphur (δ(34)S) in liver tissue samples. The results obtained in the determination of δ(34)S, using a procedure in which organic and inorganic sulphur are converted into BaSO(4) and the procedure that measures δ(34)S in samples of dried ground liver tissue were compared. Joint analysis of carbon (δ(13)C) and sulphur (δ(34)S) permits the differentiation of swine of different breeds receiving different diets (acorns or feed).

Use of isotope analysis to characterize meat fromIberian-breed swine.

We describe a method based on isotope analysis (δ(13)C) for characterization and differentiation of Iberian pork meat as a function of the diet of the animal. Using adipose tissue, it is possible to classify unknown samples in group of animals designated "acorn-fed", "recebo=mixed-fed" and "feed raised" according the δ(13)C value obtained, from the calibration straight line of y=-22.12-0.35x, with a correlation coefficient r=0.982 and s=0.1‰; where y=δ(13)C and x=arrobas of acorn and range forage received by the animals during the fattening period. Stress should be placed on the economic and industrial importance of Iberian-breed swine because the market prices of Iberian swine products depends on the classification of the animals according to the type of feeding regimen which they are subjected to.

[Variation in blood pressure values in a pediatric population assigned to a primary care team by applying a correction factor according to brachial perimeter]. / Variación de las cifras de tensión arterial en una población infantil adscrita a un equipo de atención primaria al aplicar el factor de corrección según el perímetro braquial.

OBJECTIVE: To quantitative changes in blood pressure values and in hypertension diagnosis after applying a correction factor (CF) according to brachial perimeter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 164 male and female children, aged 11-14 years from a population attended at our Health Institution was studied. Blood pressure and brachial perimeter at the right arm were determined in all children and the CF was applied according to brachial perimeter. RESULTS: Mean brachial perimeter was 23.8 cm, with a higher value in males (p < 0.05); a significant increase in blood pressure values was observed both for the overall sample and for both sexes taken separately; prevalence of hypertension increased significantly after correction of sample and for males, not for females. CONCLUSIONS: For an appropriate blood pressure measurement it is essential to correctly fit the cuff bladder size to the brachial perimeter; when it is not possible the CF should be applied.

[Consumption of psychotropic drugs by the aged]. / Consumo de fármacos psicotrópicos en los ancianos.

BACKGROUND: The medical prescription increase for psychotropic drugs, and particularly by elderly, are the facts that have motivated this study: 1) elderly psychotropic consumption assessment, 2) identify risk factors consumption. METHODS: Descriptive and cross-sectional survey from individual questionnaires. RESULTS: The prevalence for psychotropic drugs was 24% in our sample, (72.1% women). 53.3% prescription were realized by family practitioners. 54.3% patients used them for more than three years. The biggest group consumed are the long term benzodiazepines (62.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence, the long time of consumption, the use of long-term benzodiazepines, and the fact of that family practitioners are the main prescribers, must make us think about the pertinence and accuracy of these medical prescriptions.

Polarographic determination of clavulanic acid.

A method is proposed for the determination of clavulanic acid by differential pulse polarography. The electroactive product was obtained by hydrolysis in sulphuric medium. It shows a reduction peak, that can be used analytically, at -0.75 V (vs SCE). The optimum conditions for the polarographic signal were determined and a study was made of the different parameters affecting the electrochemical process. A polarographic procedure is proposed for the determination of clavulanic acid in a concentration range of 8.0 X 10(-6) -1.4 X 10(-4) M. The detection limit is about 2 x 10(-6) M and the relative standard deviation is 1.1%. The method was applied to the determination of clavulanic acid in the presence of amoxicillin.